Expanded AI-Focused Curricula and University-Linked Advanced Research Programs Early Identification at Gifted and Science High Schools, With Plans to Spread Selection Model
Amid ongoing controversy over students gravitating toward medical schools, Korea's Ministry of Education is moving to nurture artificial intelligence (AI) talent in earnest. The plan aims to identify AI talent early at gifted schools and science high schools, while strengthening advanced education linked with universities to cultivate core talent in cutting-edge technology fields.
According to the ministry's "2026 Performance Management Implementation Plan" released Monday, the ministry plans to build a gifted education support system within the year to identify and nurture AI talent early. It will expand program development and support for operating AI and software (SW)-specialized curricula, and will also push to run university-linked advanced AI research programs. The ministry plans to establish a system to identify talent previously left in the blind spots of gifted education, including highly gifted students and gifted students from underprivileged backgrounds.
In education circles, this plan is interpreted as a move to redefine the direction of gifted education. Gifted schools and science high schools were established to cultivate talent in science and technology fields, but they have faced criticism that their founding purpose is fading as the recent preference for medical schools has spread.
In fact, according to data submitted to the ministry by the office of Rep. Han Min-soo of the Democratic Party of Korea, a total of 38 students enrolled at gifted schools and science high schools went on to medicine and pharmacy programs for the 2026 academic year. Despite each school strengthening sanctions, such as imposing disadvantages on students who go on to medical school, the assessment is that the preference for medical schools still persists.
AI talent selection is already being run on a trial basis at some schools. Gyeonggi Science High School selected around 10 AI gifted students in its 2025 admissions, and Chungbuk Science High School selected three students through an AI science talent track. Daejeon Science High School also newly established an SW and AI track for the first time this year, and plans to select up to nine students out of a total enrollment of 90.
Experts point out that nurturing AI talent should not stop at simply increasing the number of students selected or strengthening coding education. They say it must provide actual problem-solving experience through advanced education in which universities, research institutions and industry participate together.
"The AI competition is shifting from technology development itself to a competition over application in industrial settings," said Kwak Jeong-ho, a professor at Hoseo University. "If we identify AI talent early and develop their problem-solving capabilities in cutting-edge industrial fields such as manufacturing, robotics and on-device AI, they can grow into core talent that boosts national productivity and industrial competitiveness."
The ministry plans to gradually expand the AI talent selection model after preparing admissions procedures and curricula tailored to each school's level of readiness. Education circles expect that once related policy research is completed, additional schools could adopt the model as early as the 2027 academic year.
"Based on the trial cases, we are supporting the participation of interested schools," a ministry official said. "Policy research to prepare a standard admissions procedure is also under way."
Original reporting by Shin Seo-hee for Seoul Economic Daily.
AI-translated from Korean. Quotes from foreign sources are based on Korean-language reports and may not reflect exact original wording.
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